To Support Weeden, Or Not Too? That Is The Question!

The 2012 NFL draft has finally come and gone. There were
many surprises in this year's draft, that's for sure. The Cleveland Browns'
shocked many, not all, but many by selecting Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State
with the 22nd overall pick in the first round.

There
has been plenty of debate over this selection, not so much based on Weeden's
talent. The large majority of the debates circle around his age. Brandon Weeden
will be turning 29 this coming October. I've heard just about every old guy
joke there could be on him.

It's
been said if he was 21-22, that he would have been a top ten to top fifteen
selection. I have my reservations on Weeden, but none has anything to do with
his age. I'll tell you this; I spoke plenty leading up to this year's draft, I'm
on record as saying if the Browns were going to gamble on a player with the 22nd
overall pick, gamble on a Quarterback. The common thought was Tannehill would
be gone by then, which meant it would have to be Weeden at this spot.

I'll
start off by telling you why I worry about the selection of Brandon Weeden,
especially with the 22nd overall pick; again nothing to do with his
age. It starts off with the same reasoning I had against selecting Justin
Blackmon, who happened to be his big play Wide Receiver in college. They both played in the Big 12, this is a
conference void of big name defenses. They don't tend to produce many good pro
Cornerbacks. Also, the Big 12 is horrible at producing good pro Quarterbacks.
That's my main concern.

I'm a
student of the draft; I pay attention to what round you can find certain
positions. Which conferences produce what positions. The Big 12 simply does not
produce NFL caliber Quarterbacks. He also didn't play in a system favorable to
a NFL offense. They say history repeats itself, in terms of this area, it just
simply holds true. Go ahead and tell me more than two solid NFL Quarterbacks in
the past ten years, heck fifteen years that came from the Big 12. I'd wait for
an answer but there won't be one.

That's about
all I have against Weeden, in my eyes they're pretty big reasons. Playing in a
conference that doesn't produce NFL Quarterbacks, playing in a weak defensive
conference, and playing in a system not favorable to having him ready to play
in a NFL style offense. Those are some pretty big red flags in my eyes.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule. So for the Browns' sake, I'm
hoping he breaks the mold.

So, let's
get to why I like the pick of Brandon Weeden. I'm not concerned with his age
one bit. As long as he can play, I'm behind him a hundred percent. He may be on
the verge of 29 years old; however, his body has not taken the punishment of a
29 year old. Honestly, did people forget that quickly about Kurt Warner being 29
when he took over for the injured Trent Green in the 1999 season? Even better yet, there was Steve Young who
finally got to start for the San Francisco 49ers at the age of 30. So age is
not a concern as I said, simply can he play? Well, that's what the Browns' fans
including myself are about to find out in the upcoming 2012 NFL season.

Weeden
has the necessary skill set to make all the proper throws in the NFL. He's
accurate and unlike the guy that he has to battle in camp, presumably that Colt
McCoy doesn't get traded, he's a few inches taller. Many scouts ranked Weeden
as the best pure pocket passer in this year's draft.

And
where his age may hurt him in some people's eyes, it's also a benefit in many
others because he has that maturity. Even though I knock him as many others
have about the spread offense he played in Oklahoma State, I do see a positive
for him playing in it. Oklahoma State ran a no-huddle attack. I find that
intriguing because he's adept at running the hurry up offense.

All it
comes down to in my eyes is can he make the throws needed? Yes! He has the
proper built to play Quarterback at the NFL level by standing 6'3". Does he
have the accuracy to succeed in the NFL? Yes! So the fact that he's on the
verge of turning 29 at the start of the season should not be the concern for
the Browns. All anyone needs to worry about is can he learn the offense, can he
play at a NFL caliber level, and most importantly can he break the mold of Big
12 Quarterback busts in the NFL? Who knows, but I'm sure ready to find out!! This
Browns' franchise needs a Quarterback to end the suffering that's been going on
for far too many years.

Follow me on Twitter @FanOfGame1st where I talk all local Cleveland
sports.

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